AFM Social Media Policy (2018)

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY FOR PASTORS, EMPLOYEES AND MEMBERSOF THE APOSTOLIC FAITH MISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA (AFM)NOVEMBER 2017

WHY SHOULD THERE BE A SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY FOR THE AFM?
All AFM pastors, employees and members have the responsibility to manage the AFM’S reputation online. We are a church of ….. members, … pastors and …assemblies and it has become essential in an age of increasing social media activity, to protect the name and stature of the church by putting a social media policy in place. If an individual’s social media activity is linked to, or is perceived to be linked to the AFM, we have a legitimate interest in the contents posted.

This policy will protect the AFM, its pastors and its employees from any possible action or threat taken against us and ensure that all platforms of social media are used in a professional manner.

Do know the AFM Pastoral Code of Conduct and the Social Media Policy. Make sure you are familiar with the content. It provides a framework to guide you in your dealings with your colleagues, other employees of the AFM and any person related to the AFM.

This policy must be read and understood by all pastors and employees.

Any reference to “employee” in this policy is deemed to also include contractors and others who provide services to the AFM.

Personal use of social media is related to the AFM when you post information regarding the AFM or your job/role/service you provide at the AFM.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO APPROACH SOCIAL MEDIA?
Always use sound judgement and common sense. -If you can’t put in on a poster in a public place, don’t post it on social media.

THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU POST
• Everything you do online affects your and the AFM’S reputation.
• Whether in your own capacity or on the AFM’S behalf, conduct yourself professionally in every instance.
• Be mindful when posting, because what you have posted will be in the public space for a very long time. Your post can be screen grabbed, published elsewhere and multiplied immediately.

SOCIAL MEDIA BEHAVIOUR
1. Always represent yourself, or the AFM with integrity and ethically. Do not discredit anyone, or the AFM in your personal capacity.
2. The AFM reflects a diverse set of cultures, values and viewpoints which must be respected. Don’t be afraid to express yourself, but do so respectfully.
3. Be polite. When entering a social media system, you should behave the same as in any other social environment.
4. Good manners apply, don’t be rude.
5. Don’t intrude in or interrupt the conversations of others.
6. Introduce yourself. Don’t pretend to be someone else, or use a fake username or a username you are not authorized to use.
7. If you are unsure if your behavior is acceptable, ask yourself if you would be happy if someone else does the same to you, if not, review your behavior.

WHAT MUST NOT BE DONE ONLINE?
1. Don’t speak on behalf of the AFM. If you notice that someone who is not a spokesperson has posted something, bring it to the attention of your pastor, or Regional Leader.
2. Don’t post or discuss internal, or confidential information online, whether it is a local AFM assembly, regional of national AFM business matter or personal.
3. Don’t disclose any personal or sensitive information regarding an employee or anyone related to the AFM online.
4. Don’t speculate on anything the AFM has not officially announced. Information leaks and misunderstanding can damage the AFM’S reputation.
5. Don’t engage in online disputes or make comments regarding the AFM that may be insulting, or inappropriate, or may be damaging to the AFM’S reputation.
6. If you have an AFM email address, don’t use it on any social media platform.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE LAW
1. Think before you tweet and, or retweet. There are liabilities and risks with retweeting. The law is designed to protect against the spreading of false and defamatory rumours. Retweeting a defamatory or false post could get you into trouble.
2. Respect copyright and fair use laws. You must comply with all laws governing copyright, or fair use of copyrighted material owned by someone else.
3. When expressing an opinion, your profile should clearly indicate that the opinion you express on a social media platform, is your own opinion and not that of the AFM. You can state “views are my own and not that of the AFM”. Be aware that such a disclaimer has no legal effect, should you post anything that might be harmful to the AFM’S reputation.

WHAT IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE TO POST ON A SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?
• Discriminatory or derogatory comments.
• Racist comments.
• Confidential or sensitive information.
• Adverse comments about the AFM, its employees or anyone related to the AFM.
• Disparaging comments. E.g. Against other Religious organizations and churches.
• Anything that may bring the AFM into disrepute.

The AFM reserves the right to request a pastor, an employee, or a member to remove certain posts and inappropriate comments from social media platforms.

CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE
Any social media activity or behavior by pastors, employees, or members which brings the AFM into disrepute is in breach of this policy and could lead to disciplinary proceedings and/or dismissal.

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AFM stands for “Apostolic Faith Mission” (in Afrikaans: “AGS – Apostoliese Geloofsending”). The AFM exists since 1908 and is the first and largest Pentecostal church in the country – with 1.4 million members in SA and currently established in 29 countries of the world. “Pentecostal” means that it is a church who believes that the Spirit of God is given to believers to live dynamic and overcoming lives.